Psychiatrists, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, are medical professionals who are trained to assess, diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists use criteria listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) to diagnose specific mental health conditions.

Psychiatrists also form individualized treatment plans, which can include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication and other medical treatments. They are experts at helping people manage and sometimes even eliminate the symptoms of disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and ADHD. These medical professionals consider the whole of a patient: mind and body in order to best treat the troublesome symptoms with which a patient struggles. They are experts in psychopharmacology, which is the science of the effect of medications on the mind.

At The Willow Center, our psychiatric team meets regularly to confer and consult about patient cases with our clinical therapy providers. Our psychiatry team includes Psychiatrist Dr. Dan Rapport, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Lexe Wooten, Dr. Garrett Spradley DO, Dr. Kayla Spradley DO, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Katheryn Palmer and our department administrator, Registered Nurse, Karen Stiles. Initially only providing care to adults, our team now provides care to children, teens and adults.

While other medical professionals like a primary care physician, pediatrician, or OBGYN can prescribe psychiatric medications, Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) are experts in the science of psychopharmacology. In addition, our specialists provide some psychotherapy services in order to provide our patients with the best, most comprehensive possible care.

At The Willow Center, psychiatry offers a valuable complement to therapy for kids and teenagers navigating mental health challenges. Therapy provides a safe space for kids and teens to explore emotions and develop coping skills. The addition of psychiatric services can provide symptom management by addressing underlying biological factors through medication management when appropriate. This combined approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The Willow Center's dedicated team of psychiatric practitioners works collaboratively with therapists to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans, supporting children and adolescents in achieving emotional well-being and long lasting improvements in overall health.